Tae's First Soccer Practice

Okay so Tae had his first soccer practice yesterday!  He did great, I was so proud of him.  But of course, my camera died before I could get any pictures, these are all from my camera phone.  He loved it, of course, because he loves to be outside and be active.  They worked on being a goalie and attacking the ball.  You have to stand and be ready and then when the ball comes you attack it and fall on the ball and roll.  It was so cute and funny because Tae was more concerned about falling on the ball than he was actually catching the ball.  So he would fall and then the ball would pop right out of his hands.  Just like his daddy, can't hang onto the ball! (just kidding babe, you're awesome!)  He did well playing with the other kids, but didn't really understand that you can take the ball from the other players.  A little girl was dribbling the ball toward him and he was playing goalie and we were telling him to get the ball and he was like "no she has it right now."  I guess this goes against the other rules we have with sharing and not taking things from others.  haha  Okay, I am going into proud mommy mode, but he is super athletic and I can't wait to see what he can do!! It was fun to watch and I am so proud of him.  I will take more pictures next time.  It is every Saturday until July 3rd, so next Saturday Daddy will be there!!!

More Eli Pictures

Ok, I couldn't resist.  Here are some more.  He is just so cute!  I know he looks exactly like Tae did.  I wonder if that will differ when he gets old or if they will look like twins.  These are some more pictures from La Belle Vie Photography.  She is really good and actually doing her first wedding July 3rd!!  So exciting.  

Well, Simmons Update, hmm...  Lavar gets back on Friday next week!!  This is so exciting, I can't wait and I know Tae is so excited too.  He doens't really understand the concept of time, so he continues to say daddy is coming home in two weeks because that is what I said two weeks ago.  So it will be great when he comes home.  Tae is talking about going to Disneyland and playing basketball.  Lavar will have his work cut out for him because Tae is thinking of everything they can do together.  And I know Lavar is excited about that too.  Eli needs daddy because he is already spoiled.  He likes to be held and when he falls asleep in your arms or in his chair he doesn't want to be put in his crib.  ugh I thought I had avoided that with him.  But I know it will be okay, I have to just let him cry it out, which I will, I just need to muster up some energy one of these days and get it done.  If I don't happen to do that before Lavar gets back, I am okay with that!  I will let Lavar deal with it while I get a massage or something :).  

Tae continues to be hilarious.  The other day Eli was crying and Tae says "Eli, you are so drama!"  I must say that to Tae quite often.  Then one day we were playing soccer and apparently I kicked it too hard and Tae was getting upset.  So I went inside and he came in (after he was done crying for like 20 minutes) and he came to me and said "Mommy, I love you, but you can't kick the ball too hard."  I say that to him often, "Tae, I love you, but you have to listen to mommy."  So in his own little Tae way, he thinks he can say and do things that mommy and everyone else does.  And, ok, here it goes, I am going into proud mommy mode.  We were at a playground with basketball hoops and Tae had a full sized bsaketball.  He was shooting baskets and actually making them!!  He actually was almost only using the one hand too!  I was so proud, he is going to be an excellent athlete.  Lavon, you better start practicing, I'm not sure you could take him.  He does start soccer on Saturday, so I will make sure I take good pictures to show you all.  He is a very active kid. 

Well that is it for now.  Eli has his one month check-up this week!! Can you believe it, he is one month today actually!  WOW time flies when you're having fun, or exhausted out of your mind... Love you all and I will post Eli's height and weight etc when we know. 

We are so blessed!

Isn't this beautiful?  Who would have thought that my life would be so blessed.  And for nothing I have done, either, God just chose to give me more than I could ask or imagine.  Thank you, Lord!  I have two beautiful, healthy boys.  I don't have to worry about having a 6'7" daughter! (just kidding!) I have an amazing, hard-working husband who loves me.  I have an incredible extended family and church family.  I don't know if life gets better than this.  I can't praise the Lord enough. 

   

Tae is incredible with Eli.  He is so loving and aware.  He is so proud of him and so far, not at all jealous.  He is protective of him already!  Such a big brother!  He plays with him and doesn't like it when he cries.  He is mommy's helper too, making sure everyone is taken care of.  Lavar and I are so proud of him, he has really stepped it up.  I am so excited to watch Eli and Tae grow together.  I am praying they will continue to be close. 

 

Look at my beautiful boy!  Who do you think he looks like?  

Eli continues to be a good baby.  He sleeps good and when he is awake and not gassy, he is a happy little guy.  He is already over 10 pounds and growing, seems like all I do all day is feed him!  That is what I get for marrying Lavar, monster kids!  These Simmons boys are no joke!  Tae continues to grow, always off the charts.  People are always asking if he is 5 or 6 when he just turned 3.  Everyone remember these names in 16 to 19 years, Tae and Eli Simmons because they have got to be in some kind of draft! 

 

Eli got his heart checked and everything went great.  He is healthy and there are no problems.  We didn't have to even make a check up appointment.  The doctor was awesome, very thorough and I felt great about the appointment, because he checked everything.  Praise God.   

All of these beautiful photos were done by La Belle Vie Photography.  La Belle Vie is French for the Beautiful Life.  I think that is only appropriate here.  

 

When we get home we will be doing more photos as a family because we will be complete!  I can't wait to see Lavar with Eli.  He will get to hold his little little man for the first time!   

I had to put in a few more from our photo session with La Belle Vie Photography.  I thought Tae was so cute.  I do have some pictures to come soon too.  I have some from Tae's first day of preschool and then some I took tonight when Tae was holding Eli.  Super cute, I will put them up soon.  Oh and Eli was 3 weeks old yesterday!!  And Lavar gets home 2 weeks from this Friday!  We CANNOT wait.  Last night when people asked Tae what he was doing he kept saying "I'm waiting for my daddy."  It seems like that is all he can think about these days, so it is good that we are in the home stretch.  Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers! 

Tae's First Day of Preschool

Okay, so Tae had his first day of Preschool yesterday!!  He did great.  Aside from being really tired by the time I got there, which I don't mind at all :), he had so much fun.  We are so excited for him because we know this will be good for him.  Obviously, he has been an only child for 3 years now so this will be good to learn to play well with other kids and listen to the teachers.  Not to mention, mommy gets a morning break!!

Lavar and I got him a Spiderman lunch box and thermos for school per his request.  If any of you know Lavar, Tae is definitely his son with the love of super heroes going on!

 

All ready to go, just taking some pictures.

 

Tae and his baby brother.  Whenever people ask what Eli's name is Tae answers Baby Eli.  Like Baby is a part of his name.  I am sure he will drop that when Eli can beat him up, but for now it is cute. 

 

He was really excited and his best friend Isaiah is in his class, so this helps a lot. 

 

Then I had to throw in some pictures of Eli awake because he is so precious.  He still remains a good baby for which I am so thankful!  He already gained almost a pound since he left the hospital!  What a good boy!  Just keep Eli in your prayers, he has to get an EKG heart test on Monday to make sure he doesn't have a murmur or something like that.  They just weren't sure when they checked and they want to do this to make absolutely sure he is okay.  He has a really low heart rate too, which could just be the laid back Bahamian in him, but the doctors don't know that!!  So better safe than sorry, Monday morning at 8:20 we have our appointment.  Keep us in your prayers.

 

Oh and his skin tags fell off.  It was painful for him at first but now he is doing great again.  Happy, laid back baby!  LOVE IT!

Gotta love all the faces of Eli, he is so precious!  My three boys (yes, including my husband) are such a gift from God and I praise the Lord for them everyday!

Tae and Eli

Tae and his cousin Olivia got to take a trip to the zoo on Monday with Grammy and Aunt Veta. They had such a good time, and it gave mommy a much needed break!!  Aunt Veta is always good to go with and always comes prepared!  She had little zoo bags for the kids and they each got to watch their own movie!  Whatever happened to playing games in the car?  Anyway, I guess it makes it easier on the adults. 

 

They rented a stroller at the zoo, another thing that probably makes it easier on the adults.  So no one is complaining that they are tired of walking!

 

I thought that this was a cute picture.  When it is just Olivia and Tae, they are best friends.  Throw another cousin in the picture and sometimes there are issues.  These two do well together, they both have strong personalities.  So cute, Tae loves all his cousins!

 

While Tae was at the zoo, Uncle Eric and Aunt Ashley came to see Eli.  When Tae got home he was so proud to show off his baby brother.  Tae is really excellent with him.  He is so caring and loving and protective.  He is so proud of his brother.  And daddy and mommy are so proud of him. 

 

Uncle Eric and the boys.

 

Aunt Ashley with Eli.  It almost looks like Eli is smiling.  So precious. 

And I had to end with Tae making this funny face.  He is such a character always liking to get people to laugh.  He does this thing with his eyes and mouth that is really funny.  This picture doesn't do it justice, but he is a funny kid!

Oh and Tae starts Preschool on Friday!!  I am so excited for him, I think he will love it and do great.  We think it will be a great way for him to be social and get out of the house more.  Don't worry, I will be taking lots of pictures and post them as soon as I can.  Lots of love from California!!

Baby Eli Pictures!!

Hello Everyone!  I am so sorry it has taken me so long to do this, but obviously I have had some other things going on!!  Eli John Simmons was born Tuesday, April 27 at 4:25pm.  He weighed 9lbs 4oz, a big guy!  He is super healthy and an amazing baby.  He sleeps awesome, by himself in the crib.  He doesn't really cry unless he is hungry (hmm where does he get that from?) or if he is annoyed, like changing his diaper or clothes.  I am so thankful that we have a beautiful healthy baby boy.  God is so good, he knew that I needed him to be good with Lavar being gone and everything and I am so thankful.  Tae is really great with him.  He is very protective and proud of him.  He actually hasn't really shown any signs of jealousy so far, which also I know if from the Lord.  He is very tender and caring and we are so proud of him and the way that he is acting.  Not bossy at all, believe or not!!  So here are some pictures.  I think I will post more on facebook, it is an easier way to load them.  So those of you that have facebook, you can look on there, those of you who don't, ask Doneqo he is on it all the time! :)  

Thank you so much for your prayers throughout this situation.  I wasn't really looking forward to it without Lavar, I have to be honest.  But for a situation that neither of us wanted to do, it worked out great.  Lavar got to watch the entire thing on Skype too, which was incredible.  Because he wasn't able to be there in person, he was still able to experience the birth of his second (and last I might add!) son.  So PRAISE THE LORD for everything, we are so thankful!  Love you and miss you all, I will now be posting pictures more frequently so you can all watch him grow.